Kilare speeding points on target to exceed 2010 total

Almost 5,000 drivers have been hit with speeding penalty points and fines in Kildare so far this year in a major clampdown.

Almost 5,000 drivers have been hit with speeding penalty points and fines in Kildare so far this year in a major clampdown.

This is just 2,000 shy of the 7,130 overall figure for 2010, and with six months remaining of 2011, it is anticipated that this tally will be surpassed. This follows the roll out of private speed detection vans across the county.

Responding to the statistics, which were released on foot of a parliamentary question posed by Donegal TD, Joe McHugh, Kildare’s Road Safety Officer, Declan Keogh welcomed the news.

“The overall objective of the GoSafe safety cameras operated on behalf of the Gardai is to reduce speed and save lives on the roads. There are an estimated 25 collision prone zone areas in county Kildare where GoSafe operate, and these areas are separate to the many other areas in which the Garda Traffic Corps itself continue to operate speed checks and other checkpoints. Going on the latest information, it suggests the overall total at the end of the year will exceed last year’s total. As a result of this campaign, it seems that many drivers are getting the message, they are driving more safely and adhering to speed limits, which in turn will save lives to a certain extent,” said Mr. Keogh.

The figures show Kildare incurred the third highest total of penalty points in the country so far this year, slotting in behind Dublin and Cork.

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